RATING: 4.5 STARS
2018; Penguin Random House Canada

Cut You Down is the second instalment of the Wakeland mystery series, and is also set in Vancouver, BC. After reading the first novel, Invisible Dead, I have put Sam Wiebe on my must read list. I am a fan of Canadian fiction, but there are too many mystery stories out there (that are also set in Canada), let alone Detective Noir. David Wakeland, a private investigator, is on a missing person case that may lead him way over his head. It leads him over the border and into net of many dangerous groups. Wakeland reminds me of Nick Charles with his wit, and Sam Spade with his cases and attitude. I am looking forward to the next Wakeland novel, or anything by Wiebe.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

this is book 2 in the David Wakeland PI series that takes place in Vancouver by Sam Wiebe. I have read and enjoyed all 3 books of his now. in this one Dave is hired to find a missing student who may be involved in the disappearance of millions of dollars in college funds. This one is a slow burn as the story takes a while to find momentum, but there is some good writing here as Dave also tries to help former girlfriend out a sticky situation with her cop partner and navigate the mob and gangs. definitely urban noir and it was pretty good.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Henery Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

I had a bit of a difficult time getting into the story because I hadn't read the first book in the series. At the beginning, I also felt like there was an overwhelming and almost forced attempt at referencing Canadian things. That being said, around the halfway point, the story picked up and the writing significantly improved to the point that I was pretty invested in knowing how it would all turn out.

Dave Wakeland is a former cop and now a private detective in Vancouver, BC. He is in partnership with Jeff Chen, who is totally the opposite of him. They are based in Jeff's more professional space but Dave hasn't let go of his rundown office space in a building that is going to be demolished for condos soon. Dave isn't afraid to use violence to get the answers he needs, which isn't Jeff's style.

Dave has been hired by a meek professor named Dana to find a student named Tabitha. Though not implicated, Tabitha was part of a scandal involving college funds and hasn't been seen since. Tabitha has awaken feelings in Dana and she wants to know if Tabitha feels the same. When Dave locates Tabitha, Dana is heartbroken to learn that Tabitha is happy in a relationship. Then Tabitha is found murdered and Dana disappears.

In the meantime, Dave is asked by his ex-girlfriend, a police officer named Sonia, to follow her partner, Chris, but she doesn't tell him why. Though they haven't spoken in a long time, he doesn't hesitate to help her out. As he does, Dave discovers Chris is involved with a Chinese mobster who he has a history with.



This is the third book I've read by this author and I liked it. It's the second in the Wakeland series (I read the first one too) ... you don't need to have read the first one as it works okay as a stand alone. I liked the writing style ... it was humorous at times (Dave can be sarcastic). It is written in first person perspective from Dave's point of view. As a head's up, there is swearing, violence and adult activity.

I think the story lines were interesting but found there was a lot going on. I think both stories could have been made into separate books as each was compelling enough on its own.